Special cells on women in distress to come up

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday said though women constitute half of the population, historical and structural power imbalances exist between women and men in varying degrees across all communities in the world.

Speaking at the national convention on ‘Emerging Challenges of Violence Against Women such as Witch Hunting and Cyber Crime’ here on Thursday, Naveen said, “The issue of violence against women is a matter of serious concern. The deterrence value of the criminal justice system is required to be reinforced by ensuring speedy investigation and trial of all cases involving crimes against women.”

“The State Government has decided to establish two special cells for counselling of women at Rourkela and Balasore in collaboration with National Commission for Women and Tata Institute of Social Sciences,” the Chief Minister informed.

Asserting that the Government is giving top priority to investigation of women related cases, he said about 29 investigation units for crime against women have been set up in various districts. Women can file an FIR in any police station which can later be transferred to the police station concerned. Mahila and Sishu desks have been established and activated in all the 537 police stations. Six Mahila police stations have also been set up, he said.

About cyber crime Naveen said cyber defamation, harassment and abuse, misrepresentation, hacking, online stalking and hate speech are emerging challenges for the country. There is a need for creating awareness among women by way of promoting digital inclusion, empowering women through digital literacy and imparting technology training, he added.

Cyber police stations have been set up in Cuttack, Sambalpur, Rourkela and Berhampur. Besides, cyber crime cells are functioning in all the police districts of the State.Similarly, for dealing with witch-hunting, the State Government has enacted Odisha Prevention of Witch Hunting Act, 2013, and a composite action plan has also been prepared to tackle the menace, he added.

The convention, organised by Odisha State Commission for Women, was attended by Women and Child Development Minister Prafulla Samal, Acting Chairperson of National Commission for Women Rekha Sharma, Chairperson of Odisha State Commission for Women Lopamudra Baxipatra and Secretary in Women and Child Development Department Chitra Arumugam.